Myanmar coup: UK sanctions companies supplying Myanmar military's air strikes

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on two companies and two individuals for supplying the Myanmar military with fuel that was used to carry out air strikes in the country. The new sanctions come as the country is now two years into the coup carried out by Myanmar’s generals against the elected government.

The UK has sanctioned two companies and two individuals who are linked to an entity known as the Asia Sun Group. The firm is involved in supplying Myanmar’s air force with aviation fuel used to carry out bombing strikes against the country’s own citizens. The UK has sanctioned 18 individuals and 30 entities from Myanmar since the coup in February 2021.

Those who are sanctioned will be subject to asset freezes, which mean UK businesses and citizens are prohibited from dealing with them. Individuals that are sanctioned will be subject to UK travel bans as well.

“Our sanctions are meticulously targeted to deliver maximum impact, reducing the military’s access to finance, fuel, arms, and equipment,” said British foreign secretary James Cleverly in a statement. “The junta must be held to account for their brutal crackdown on opposition voices, terrorizing air raids, and brazen human rights violations.”

Myanmar has been under unrest since the coup by its generals in 2021, seizing power and ousting the elected government. The military has since sought to crack down on the pro-democracy protests, killing hundreds and detaining thousands who have opposed the coup. The military has since been facing resistance from armed groups on several fronts, adding to the bloodshed.

The sanctions by the UK are also in line with the sanctions imposed by the United States, Canada, and Australia on the junta. The US Treasury said in a statement that its new wave of sanctions on the junta targeted the Union Election Commission, mining enterprises, and energy officials. This marks the first time Washington targeted the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise officials under the current sanctions program.

The sanctions by the US target MOGE’s managing director and deputy managing director. MOGE is the junta’s single-largest revenue-generating state-owned firm. The Union Minister of Energy was also sanctioned by the US, as well as Mining Enterprise No, 1 and Mining Enterprise No. 2.